Information processing system, information processing device, information processing method, and non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing program

ABSTRACT

An information processing system includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire traveling information indicating traveling conditions of a first vehicle traveling on a road, a determination unit configured to determine one or more driving operations of a driver driving the first vehicle by using the traveling information acquired when a second vehicle approaches the first vehicle, an evaluation unit configured to perform evaluation of safety related to the driver&#39;s driving by using determination results of the determination unit, and an updating unit configured to acquire first evaluation results of the evaluation unit during a first predetermined period to compare the first evaluation results with second evaluation results of the evaluation unit during a second predetermined period before the first predetermined period, and to update the second evaluation results based on comparison results.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/126,602, filed Sep. 10, 2018, which claims the disclosure of JapanesePatent Application No. 2017-207247 filed on Oct. 26, 2017, all of which,including the specification, drawings and abstract are incorporatedherein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an information processing system, aninformation processing device, an information processing method, and anon-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a program.

2. Description of Related Art

There has been known an information processing system that evaluates thesafety (for example, a driving manner or the like) of driving of adriver who drives a vehicle such as an automobile.

For example, there has been known a vehicle operation diagnosis devicethat calculates a ratio of the number of times of deceleration and thenumber of times of stop of a host vehicle during the traveling of thehost vehicle to the number of times that the host vehicle gives way toanother vehicle and evaluates the safety of driving of a driver based onthe calculated ratio (for example, Japanese Unexamined PatentApplication Publication No. 2010-237828 (JP 2010-237828 A)).

SUMMARY

In the technique disclosed in JP 2010-237828 A, the safety of a drivingoperation of the vehicle is evaluated in a period between the start tothe end of traveling of the vehicle, and, for example, it may not besaid that it is sufficient to decide the safety of a driver's driving.

For example, in a case where an insurance company or the like providingautomobile insurance to a driver gives an incentive, such as a discountof an insurance bill, in accordance with the safety of the driver'sdriving, it is difficult to appropriately evaluate the safety of thedriver's driving by solely evaluation results based on the techniquedisclosed in JP 2010-237828 A.

The disclosure is provided to be capable of appropriately deciding thesafety of a driver's driving in an information processing system thatevaluates the safety of driving of a driver (hereinafter, also simplyreferred to as a “driver”) who drives a vehicle such as an automobile.

A first aspect of the disclosure relates to an information processingsystem including an acquisition unit, a determination unit, anevaluation unit, and an updating unit. The acquisition unit isconfigured to acquire traveling information indicating travelingconditions of a first vehicle traveling on a road. The determinationunit is configured to to determine one or more driving operations of adriver driving the first vehicle by using the traveling informationacquired when a second vehicle approaches the first vehicle. Theevaluation unit is configured to perform evaluation of safety related tothe driver's driving by using determination results of the determinationunit. The updating unit is configured to acquire first evaluationresults of the evaluation unit during a first predetermined period tocompare the first evaluation results with second evaluation results ofthe evaluation unit during a second predetermined period before thefirst predetermined period, and to update the second evaluation resultsbased on comparison results.

According to the first aspect of the disclosure, the informationprocessing system acquires the first evaluation results which areevaluation results on safety based on the driver's driving operationduring a predetermined period (for example, several months or the like).Therefore, for example, it is also possible to appropriately decide thesafety of a driving operation with respect to an event, such as adriving operation when an emergency vehicle approaches, which has arelatively low frequency of occurrence. According to the first aspect ofthe disclosure, the information processing system compares the acquiredfirst evaluation results with the second evaluation results which arethe past evaluation results, for example, for each predetermined periodto update the second evaluation results, and thus it is possible to holdthe latest evaluation results at all times. Therefore, according to thefirst aspect of the disclosure, the information processing system canappropriately decide the safety of driving of the driver who drives avehicle such as an automobile.

In the information processing system according to the first aspect ofthe disclosure, the updating unit may update the second evaluationresults by an average value of the first evaluation results when thereis a difference between the average value of the first evaluationresults and the second evaluation results.

According to the first aspect of the disclosure, the informationprocessing system can maintain evaluation results on the safety relatedto the driver's driving in the latest state, and can reduce a load ofupdating processing of the updating unit in a case where there is nodifference between the first evaluation results and the secondevaluation results.

The information processing system according to the first aspect of thedisclosure may further include an individual identification unitconfigured to identify the driver, and an information association unitconfigured to transmit the second evaluation results updated by theupdating unit and information for identifying the driver to a serviceproviding system that provides a predetermined service to the driver.

According to the first aspect of the disclosure, the informationprocessing system can associate the evaluation results on safety relatedto the driver's driving with the service providing system that providesa predetermined service to the driver.

In the information processing system according to the first aspect ofthe disclosure, the second vehicle may include an emergency vehicle. Theevaluation results of the evaluation unit may include evaluation of adriving manner when the emergency vehicle approaches the first vehicle.

According to the first aspect of the disclosure, the informationprocessing system can appropriately decide safety related to thedriver's driving by using the evaluation results on safety related tothe driver's driving which include evaluation of a driving manner whenthe emergency vehicle approaches the first vehicle.

In the information processing system according to the first aspect ofthe disclosure, the traveling information may include information on thefirst vehicle according to the driver's driving operation, or image dataobtained by imaging a vicinity of the first vehicle. The one or moredriving operations may include flickering of a hazard lamp,deceleration, avoidance, or stop of the first vehicle. The evaluationunit may perform evaluation of safety related to the driver's driving inaccordance with whether the driver executes the one or more drivingoperations, when the second vehicle approaches the first vehicle.

According to the first aspect of the disclosure, the informationprocessing system can decide flickering of a hazard lamp, deceleration,avoidance, or stop of the vehicle which is performed by the driver whenthe second vehicle approaches the first vehicle, and can appropriatelydecide safety related to the driver's driving in accordance with whetheror not the driver observes a predetermined rule.

The information processing system according to the first aspect of thedisclosure may further include a positional information acquisition unitconfigured to acquire positional information indicating a position ofthe first vehicle, and a first decision unit configured to decidewhether or not a point where the first vehicle is traveling is in avicinity of an intersection and whether the point is on a one-way road,by using the positional information of the first vehicle and mapinformation of the road. The evaluation unit may perform evaluation ofsafety related to the driver's driving by using evaluation standardsvarying depending on decision results of the first decision unit.

According to the first aspect of the disclosure, the informationprocessing system can perform evaluation of safety related to thedriver's driving according to different standards for determinationdepending on a point where the first vehicle is traveling, and thus itis possible to appropriately decide safety related to the driver'sdriving.

The information processing system according to the first aspect of thedisclosure may further include a second decision unit configured todecide whether the second vehicle is traveling on the same lane as thatof the first vehicle or is traveling on a lane different from that ofthe first vehicle by using image data obtained by imaging a vicinity ofthe first vehicle. The evaluation unit may perform evaluation of safetyrelated to the driver's driving by using evaluation standards varyingdepending on decision results of the second decision unit.

According to the first aspect of the disclosure, the informationprocessing system can perform evaluation of safety related to thedriver's driving according to different standards for determinationdepending on a lane on which the second vehicle is traveling, and thusit is possible to appropriately decide safety related to the driver'sdriving.

In the information processing system according to the first aspect ofthe disclosure, the information processing system may include anon-vehicle device mounted on the first vehicle, and the on-vehicledevice may include the acquisition unit, the determination unit, theevaluation unit, and a transmission unit that transmits evaluationinformation including evaluation results of the evaluation unit andinformation for identifying the driver to an information processingdevice including the updating unit.

According to the first aspect of the disclosure, the informationprocessing system can efficiently execute processing by distributing aload of updating processing of the updating unit to the on-vehicledevice mounted on the first vehicle and the information processingdevice including the updating unit.

The information processing system according to the first aspect of thedisclosure may further include a server device configured to communicatewith an on-vehicle device mounted on the first vehicle. The serverdevice may include a receiver that receives evaluation informationincluding evaluation results of the evaluation unit and information foridentifying the driver, the updating unit, and an informationassociation unit that transmits (i) the evaluation results on safetyrelated to the driver's driving which are updated by the updating unit,and (ii) the information for identifying the driver to a serviceproviding system that provides a predetermined service to the driver.

According to the first aspect of the disclosure, the informationprocessing system can store the evaluation results on safety related tothe driver's driving in the information processing device and canutilize the evaluation results, and thus it is possible to reduce a loadand a storage capacity of the on-vehicle device.

In the information processing system according to the first aspect ofthe disclosure, the evaluation unit may add a score in accordance withpredetermined evaluation standards in accordance with at least one of(i) whether or not the driver of the vehicle causes a hazard lamp toflicker, (ii) whether or not the vehicle decelerates, (iii) whether ornot avoidance is appropriate, and (iv) whether or not the vehicle stops,to calculate evaluation on safety related to the driver's driving as anevaluation score.

A second aspect of the disclosure relates to an information processingdevice. The information processing device includes an acquisition unitconfigured to acquire traveling information indicating travelingconditions of a first vehicle traveling on a road, a determination unitconfigured to determine one or more driving operations of a driverdriving the first vehicle by using the traveling information acquiredwhen a second vehicle approaches the first vehicle, an evaluation unitconfigured to perform evaluation of safety related to the driver'sdriving by using determination results of the determination unit, and anupdating unit configured to acquire first evaluation results of theevaluation unit during a first predetermined period to compare the firstevaluation results with second evaluation results of the evaluation unitduring a second predetermined period before the first predeterminedperiod, and updates the second evaluation results based on comparisonresults.

A third aspect of the disclosure relates to an information processingmethod. The information processing method includes, by a computer,acquiring traveling information indicating traveling conditions of afirst vehicle traveling on a road, determining one or more drivingoperations of a driver driving the first vehicle by using the travelinginformation acquired when a second vehicle approaches the first vehicle,evaluating safety related to the driver's driving by using determinationresults obtained in the determination, and acquiring first evaluationresults obtained in the evaluation during a first predetermined period,to compare the first evaluation results with second evaluation resultsobtained in the evaluation during a second predetermined period beforethe first predetermined period, and updating the second evaluationresults based on comparison results.

A fourth aspect of the disclosure relates to a non-transitory computerreadable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer toexecute the information processing method.

According to the aspects of the disclosure, it is possible toappropriately decide safety related to the driver's driving in theinformation processing system that evaluates safety related to thedriving of the driver who drives a vehicle such as an automobile.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance ofexemplary embodiments will be described below with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which like numerals denote like elements, andwherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration ofan information processing system according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configurationof a computer according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functionalconfiguration of the information processing system according to thefirst embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing of anon-vehicle device according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a driving mannerevaluation process according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating an example of an evaluation standardaccording to the first embodiment;

FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating an example of an evaluation standardaccording to the first embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of avoidance determinationprocessing according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating another example of avoidancedetermination processing according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 9A is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing of a serverdevice according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 9B is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing of theserver device according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing of anon-vehicle device according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 11A is a diagram illustrating an example of an evaluation standardaccording to the second embodiment;

FIG. 11B is a diagram illustrating an example of an evaluation standardaccording to the second embodiment; and

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating another example of a functionalconfiguration of the information processing system according to thefirst embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

System Configuration

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration ofan information processing system according to a first embodiment. Aninformation processing system 1 includes an on-vehicle device 110 whichis mounted on a vehicle (first vehicle) 10 such as an automobile, and aserver device 100 connected to a communication network 20.

In FIG. 1, the on-vehicle device 110 is connected to the communicationnetwork 20 by using a communication device 120 mounted on the vehicle10, and is capable of communicating with the server device 100 throughthe communication network 20. Here, the communication device 120 is adevice for connection to the communication network 20 through wirelesscommunication, and is realized by, for example, a Data CommunicationModule (DCM) or the like.

The on-vehicle device 110 is an information apparatus, such as a carnavigation device, or an information processing device, such as anon-vehicle Electronic Control Unit (ECU), which is mounted on thevehicle 10.

The on-vehicle device 110 can acquire image data obtained by imaging thevicinity of the vehicle 10 by using a camera 130 mounted on the vehicle10. Desirably, the on-vehicle device 110 can acquire sound datacollected from the vicinity of the vehicle 10 by using a microphone 140mounted on the vehicle 10. As an example, the on-vehicle device 110detects that an emergency vehicle (an example of a second vehicle) hasapproached the vehicle 10 by using the image data obtained by theimaging of the camera 130, the sound data acquired by the microphone140, or the like. As another example, the on-vehicle device 110 maydetect that the emergency vehicle has approached the vehicle 10 by usinga vehicle-to-vehicle communication device 150 communicating with anothervehicle, or the like.

The emergency vehicle is an example of a second vehicle for theon-vehicle device 110 to detect approach to the vehicle 10. The secondvehicle may be another vehicle, such as a bus traveling on a buspriority lane, which has a higher degree of priority of the use of aroad than the vehicle 10.

The on-vehicle device 110 can acquire vehicle information, such as thespeed, steering angle, and acceleration of the vehicle 10 and theflickering of a hazard lamp, from the vehicle control ECU controllingthe vehicle 10, or the like. The vehicle information is an example oftraveling information indicating traveling conditions of the vehicle 10.The traveling information may be, for example, information indicatingtraveling conditions of the vehicle 10, or the like which is acquired byanalyzing the image data, which is obtained by the imaging of the camera130, by the on-vehicle device 110.

Desirably, the on-vehicle device 110 can identify the driver who drivesthe vehicle 10 by image authentication based on an image of the driverwhich is captured by an in-vehicle camera 160, belonging authenticationusing an information terminal 170 or the like owned by the driver, orthe like.

With the above-described configuration, the on-vehicle device 110determines one or more driving operations (the flickering of a hazardlamp, deceleration, avoidance, stop, and the like) of the driver of thevehicle 10 by using the traveling information indicating travelingconditions of the vehicle 10 when, for example, an emergency vehicleapproaches the vehicle 10 traveling on the road. For example, in thedriving operations, the avoidance includes an operation of changing thecourse of the vehicle 10 in order to give way to the emergency vehicle,and the like.

The on-vehicle device 110 performs the evaluation (for example, theevaluation of a driving manner) of safety related to the driving of thedriver of the vehicle 10 by using determination results of the drivingoperation performed by the driver of the vehicle 10.

The on-vehicle device 110 transmits evaluation information includingidentification information for identifying the driver of the vehicle 10and evaluation results on safety related to the driver's driving to theserver device 100 by using the communication device 120.

The server device (information processing device) 100 is an informationprocessing device such as a Personal Computer (PC), or a systemincluding a plurality of information processing devices. The serverdevice 100 receives the evaluation information transmitted from theon-vehicle device 110, and stores the evaluation results on safetyrelated to the driver's driving in a predetermined period, for example,in a driving manner Data Base (DB) to be described later, or the like tomanage the evaluation results.

The server device 100 acquires the evaluation results of the driver inthe predetermined period which are stored in the driving manner DB orthe like, compares the acquired evaluation results with evaluationresults of the driver before the predetermined period, and updates theevaluation results of the driver based on comparison results.

Desirably, the server device 100 transmits the updated evaluationresults to a service providing system, such as an insurance company,which provides an insurance service (an example of a predeterminedservice) to the driver, in a case where the evaluation results of thedriver are updated.

With the above-described configuration, the information processingsystem 1 acquires the evaluation results on safety based on the driver'sdriving operation in a predetermined period (for example, several monthsor the like). Therefore, it is also possible to appropriately decide thesafety of a driving operation with respect to an event, such as adriving operation when an emergency vehicle approaches, which has arelatively low frequency of occurrence. The information processingsystem 1 compares the acquired evaluation results with past evaluationresults, for example, for each predetermined period to update the pastevaluation results based on the comparison results, and thus it ispossible to hold the latest evaluation results at all times. Therefore,according to the information processing system 1 of the embodiment, itis possible to appropriately decide the safety of driving of the driverwho drives a vehicle such as an automobile.

Therefore, according to the information processing system 1 of theembodiment, it is possible to appropriately decide the safety of drivingof the driver who drives a vehicle such as an automobile.

Hardware Configuration

On-Vehicle Device, and Hardware Configuration of Server Device

The on-vehicle device 110 and the server device 100 are informationprocessing devices having a configuration of a general computer, andthus a hardware configuration of a general computer will be describedhere.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configurationof a computer according to the first embodiment. A computer 200includes, for example, a Central Processing Unit (CPU) 201, a RandomAccess Memory (RAM) 202, a Read Only Memory (ROM) 203, a storage device204, a communication interface (I/F) 205, an external connection I/F206, an input device 207, a display device 208, a system bus 209, andthe like.

The CPU 201 is a computational device that reads out programs, data, orthe like stored in the ROM 203, the storage device 204, or the like onthe RAM 202 and executes processing to realize functions of the computer200. The RAM 202 is a volatile memory which is used as a work area ofthe CPU 201, or the like. The ROM 203 is a non-volatile memory thatholds the programs and the data even when a power source is turned off.The storage device 204 is a storage device such as a Hard Disk Drive(HDD) or a Solid State Drive (SSD), and stores, for example, anOperation System (OS), programs, various data, and the like.

The communication I/F 205 is an interface for communication of thecomputer 200 with another information processing device or the like. Forexample, in a case where the computer 200 is the server device 100, thecommunication I/F 205 is a network interface such as a wired or wirelessLocal Area Network (LAN). In a case where the computer 200 is theon-vehicle device 110, the communication I/F 205 is a communicationinterface such as a Controller Area Network (CAN) for communicationwith, for example, the on-vehicle ECU mounted on the vehicle 10, thecommunication device 120, or the like.

The external connection I/F 206 is an interface for connecting anexternal device to the computer 200. The external apparatus includes,for example, a recording medium and the like. In a case where thecomputer 200 is the on-vehicle device 110, the external apparatus mayalso include the camera 130, the microphone 140, the vehicle-to-vehiclecommunication device 150, the in-vehicle camera 160, and the like.

The input device 207 is an input device such as a keyboard, a touchpanel, or an operation button for receiving a user's input operation.The display device 208 is a display device for displaying processingresults of the computer 200, and the like. The system bus 209 isconnected to the above-described components in common, and transmits,for example, an address signal, a data signal, various control signals,and the like.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of thecomputer 200, and the computer 200 may not include, for example, theinput device 207, the display device 208, and the like.

Functional Configuration

A functional configuration of the information processing system 1 willbe described. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of thefunctional configuration of the information processing system accordingto the first embodiment.

Functional Configuration of On-vehicle Device

The on-vehicle device 110 includes, for example, a communicationcontroller 301, an image acquisition unit 302, an individualidentification unit 303, an approach detection unit 304, a travelinginformation acquisition unit 305, a first decision unit 306, apositional information acquisition unit 307, a map information DB 308, adetermination unit 309, an evaluation unit 310, a transmission unit 311,a second decision unit 312, a storage unit 313, and the like.

The on-vehicle device 110 executes the program stored in a recordingmedium, such as the ROM 203 or the storage device 204, for example, bythe CPU 201 to thereby realize the above-described functionalconfigurations. At least some of the above-described functionalconfigurations may be realized by hardware.

The communication controller 301 is realized by, for example, theprogram executed by the CPU 201, and connects the on-vehicle device 110to the communication network 20 by using the communication device 120 toperform communication with the server device 100 or the like. Thecommunication device 120 is a wireless communication device, a wirelesscommunication module, or the like which performs wireless communicationby using one or more antennas 121 included in the vehicle 10 or thecommunication device 120 under the control of the communicationcontroller 301.

The communication controller 301 may have a function of performingwireless communication with the information terminal 170 owned by thedriver of the vehicle 10, or the like by using the communication device120 or the like.

The image acquisition unit 302 is realized by, for example, the programexecuted by the CPU 201, and acquires image data (for example, movingimage data, or one or more pieces of still image data) which is obtainedby imaging the vicinity of the vehicle 10 by using the camera 130.

The individual identification unit 303 is realized by, for example, theprogram executed by the CPU 201, and identifies the driver of thevehicle 10 by face image authentication based on a face image of thedriver of the vehicle 10 which is captured by the in-vehicle camera 160,communication with the information terminal 170 owned by the driver, orthe like.

The approach detection unit 304 is realized by, for example, the programexecuted by the CPU 201, and analyzes image data of the vicinity of thevehicle 10 which is acquired by the image acquisition unit 302 or sounddata of the vicinity of the vehicle 10 which is acquired from themicrophone 140 to detect the approach of an emergency vehicle (anexample of a second vehicle). As another example, the approach detectionunit 304 may detect the approach of the emergency vehicle by usingvehicle information which is received by the vehicle-to-vehiclecommunication device 150 from another vehicle traveling in the vicinityof the vehicle 10.

The traveling information acquisition unit (acquisition unit) 305 isrealized by, for example, the program executed by the CPU 201, andacquires traveling information indicating traveling conditions of thevehicle 10 traveling on a road. For example, the traveling informationacquisition unit 305 acquires vehicle information of the vehicle 10based on a driving operation of the driver, such as the speed,acceleration, and steering angle of the vehicle 10 and whether or not ahazard lamp flickers, from the vehicle control ECU controlling thevehicle 10, or the like.

The traveling information acquisition unit 305 may analyze the imagedata obtained by imaging the vicinity of the vehicle 10 and acquired bythe image acquisition unit 302, in addition to the vehicle informationof the vehicle 10 (or instead of the vehicle information) to acquireinformation indicating traveling conditions of the vehicle 10.

The first decision unit 306 is realized by, for example, the programexecuted by the CPU 201, and decides whether or not a point where thevehicle 10 is traveling is in the vicinity of an intersection andwhether the point is on a one-way road. For example, the first decisionunit 306 decides whether or not a point where the vehicle 10 istraveling is in the vicinity of an intersection and whether the point ison a one-way road, by using positional information indicating theposition of the vehicle 10 which is acquired by the positionalinformation acquisition unit 307 and map information which is stored inthe map information DB 308 in advance.

The positional information acquisition unit 307 is realized by, forexample, the program executed by the CPU 201, and acquires positionalinformation indicating the position of the vehicle 10. For example, thepositional information acquisition unit 307 calculates positionalinformation of the vehicle 10 by using position data acquired from aGlobal Positioning System (GPS) receiver, or the like, vehicleinformation of the vehicle 10, or the like.

The positional information acquisition unit 307 may acquire positioncoordinates indicating the position of the vehicle 10 from a carnavigation device mounted on the vehicle 10, or the like.

The map information DB 308 is realized by, for example, the programexecuted by the CPU 201, the storage device 204, or the like, and storesmap information including information on an intersection and one-waytraffic in advance.

The determination unit 309 is realized by, for example, the programexecuted by the CPU 201, and determines one or more driving operationsof the driver when an emergency vehicle has approached the vehicle 10,by using the traveling information acquired by the traveling informationacquisition unit 305. For example, when the approach detection unit 304detects the approach of the emergency vehicle, the determination unit309 determines the flickering of the hazard lamp, deceleration,avoidance, stop, or the like has been executed, execution contents, andthe like, by using the traveling information acquired by the travelinginformation acquisition unit 305.

The evaluation unit 310 is realized by, for example, the programexecuted by the CPU 201, and performs the evaluation of safety relatedto the driving of the driver of the vehicle 10 by using determinationresults obtained by the determination unit 309. For example, theevaluation unit 310 adds a score in accordance with a predeterminedevaluation standard based on whether or not the driver of the vehicle 10causes a hazard, where or not the vehicle decelerates, whether or notavoidance is appropriate, whether or not the vehicle stops, or the likewhen an emergency vehicle approaches the vehicle 10, to calculate anevaluation score. The evaluation results on the safety related to thedriver's driving include, for example, the evaluation of a drivingmanner when the emergency vehicle approaches the vehicle 10, and thelike.

The transmission unit 311 is realized by, for example, the programexecuted by the CPU 201, and transmits evaluation information includinginformation for identifying the driver of the vehicle 10 (identificationinformation) and evaluation results obtained by the evaluation unit 310to the server device 100.

The second decision unit 312 is realized by, for example, the programexecuted by the CPU 201. The second decision unit 312 analyzes imagedata acquired by the image acquisition unit 302 to decide whether or notthe emergency vehicle detected by the approach detection unit 304 istraveling on the same lane as that of the vehicle 10 and is traveling ona lane different from the vehicle 10.

The storage unit 313 is realized by, for example, the program executedby the CPU 201, the RAM 202, the storage device 204, and the like, andstores various information including an evaluation standard used by theevaluation unit 310.

Functional Configuration of Server Device

The server device 100 includes, for example, a communication controller321, an information management unit 322, an information association unit323, a driving manner DB 324, and the like.

The server device 100 realizes the above-described functionalconfigurations by, for example, the program executed by the CPU 201 (orprograms executed by a plurality of computers 200).

The communication controller 321 is realized by, for example, theprogram executed by the CPU 201. The communication controller 321connects the server device 100 to the communication network 20 by using,for example, the communication I/F 205, and communicates with theon-vehicle device 110, the service providing system 330, and the like.The communication controller 321 functions as a receiver that receivesevaluation information including the evaluation results obtained by theevaluation unit 310 and transmitted from the on-vehicle device 110 andinformation for identifying the driver driving the vehicle 10.

The information management unit (updating unit) 322 is realized by, forexample, the program executed by the CPU 201, and stores theidentification information on the driver and the evaluation results onthe driver, which are included in the evaluation information transmittedfrom the on-vehicle device 110, in the driving manner DB 324 inassociation with each other to manage the identification information andthe evaluation results. Desirably, the information management unit 322stores a predetermined number of pieces of information included in thelatest evaluation information, among pieces of evaluation informationreceived within a predetermined period, in the driving manner DB 324.

The information management unit 322 functions as an updating unit thatacquires evaluation results (first evaluation results) on the driver ina first predetermined period to compare the acquired evaluation resultswith evaluation results (second evaluation results) on the driver in asecond predetermined period before the first predetermined period, andupdates the past evaluation results on the driver based on comparisonresults. For example, the information management unit 322 updates thepast evaluation results by the evaluation results on the driver in thefirst predetermined period in a case where there is a difference betweenthe first evaluation results and the second evaluation results.

The information association unit 323 is realized by, for example, theprogram executed by the CPU 201, and transmits the evaluation results onthe driver which are updated by the information management unit 322 tothe service providing system 330 and the like together with theidentification information on the driver. As described above, theinformation association unit 323 can associate the evaluation results onthe driver with a predetermined service to be provided to the driver bythe service providing system 330.

Here, the service providing system 330 is a system that provides apredetermined service to the driver of the vehicle 10 by using theevaluation results (a driving manner and the like) on the driving of thedriver of the vehicle 10. For example, the service providing system 330is a system related to an insurance company providing an automobileinsurance to the driver, and can give an incentive, such as a discountof an insurance bill, to a driver having favorable evaluation results ona driving manner.

Flow of Processing

A flow of processing of an information processing method according to anembodiment will be described.

First Embodiment

Processing of On-vehicle Device

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing of theon-vehicle device according to the first embodiment. The on-vehicledevice 110 starts the processing of the on-vehicle device illustrated inFIG. 4, for example, when an accessory power source of the vehicle 10 isturned on (in a case of ACC-ON). Here, the following description isgiven on the assumption that evaluation regarding the safety of thedriver's driving is evaluation on the driver's driving manner.

In step S401, the individual identification unit 303 identifies thedriver driving the vehicle 10. For example, the individualidentification unit 303 identifies the driver by performing face imageauthentication or the like by using the driver's face image captured bythe in-vehicle camera 160.

In step S402, the approach detection unit 304 decides whether or not anemergency vehicle has approached the vehicle 10. For example, theapproach detection unit 304 detects the approach of the emergencyvehicle by means of a rotary lamp of the emergency vehicle detected fromimage data which is acquired by imaging the vicinity of the vehicle 10by the image acquisition unit 302, a siren sound detected from sounddata in the vicinity of the vehicle 10 which is acquired by themicrophone 140, or the like. Alternatively, the approach detection unit304 may detect the approach of the emergency vehicle based on vehicleinformation and the like acquired from another vehicle in the vicinityof the vehicle 10 by the vehicle-to-vehicle communication device 150.

In a case where the approach of the emergency vehicle is detected, theon-vehicle device 110 makes the processing proceed to step S403. On theother hand, in a case where the approach of the emergency vehicle is notdetected, the on-vehicle device 110 repeatedly executes the process ofstep S402.

When the processing proceeds to step S403, the first decision unit 306decides whether or not a point where the vehicle 10 is traveling is inthe vicinity of an intersection. For example, the first decision unit306 decides whether or not the point where the vehicle 10 is travelingis in the vicinity of an intersection by using positional information onthe vehicle 10 which is acquired by the positional informationacquisition unit 307 and road information which is stored in the mapinformation DB 308.

In a case where the point where the vehicle 10 is traveling is in thevicinity of an intersection, the on-vehicle device 110 makes theprocessing proceed to step S404. On the other hand, in a case where thepoint where the vehicle 10 is traveling is not in the vicinity of anintersection, the on-vehicle device 110 makes the processing proceed tostep S405.

When the processing proceeds from step S403 to step S404, the evaluationunit 310 sets an evaluation standard in a case where the vehicle is atan intersection to be described later, as an evaluation standard usedfor the evaluation of the driver's driving manner.

When the processing proceeds from step S403 to step S405, the firstdecision unit 306 decides whether or not the point where the vehicle 10is traveling is on a one-way road. For example, the first decision unit306 decides whether or not the point where the vehicle 10 is travelingis on a one-way road by using the positional information on the vehicle10 which is acquired by the positional information acquisition unit 307and the road information which is stored in the map information DB 308.

In a case where the point where the vehicle 10 is traveling is on aone-way road, the on-vehicle device 110 makes the processing proceed tostep S406. On the other hand, in a case where the point where thevehicle 10 is traveling is not on a one-way road, the on-vehicle device110 makes the processing proceed to step S407.

When the processing proceeds from step S405 to step S406, the evaluationunit 310 sets an evaluation standard in a case of one-way traffic to bedescribed later, as an evaluation standard used for the evaluation ofthe driver's driving manner.

When the processing proceeds from step S405 to step S407, the evaluationunit 310 sets an evaluation standard in a normal case to be describedlater, as an evaluation standard used for the evaluation of the driver'sdriving manner.

In step S408, the evaluation unit 310 performs the evaluation of thedriver's driving manner in accordance with the evaluation standards setin steps S404, S406, and S407. For example, the evaluation unit 310performs the evaluation of the driver's driving manner in accordancewith the evaluation standards set in steps S404, S406, and S407 in anevaluation standard 610 as illustrated in FIG. 6A. As described above,the evaluation unit 310 according to the embodiment performs theevaluation of the driver's driving manner by using different evaluationstandards in accordance with decision results of the first decision unit306.

FIG. 6A illustrates an example of the evaluation standard 610 used forthe evaluation of the driver's driving manner. In the example of FIG.6A, the evaluation standard 610 includes information such as “largeitem”, “small item”, “case of intersection”, and “normal case”. Theinformation in “large item” indicates evaluation items, such as hazard,deceleration, avoidance, and stop, which are used for the evaluation ofa driving manner. The information in “small item” indicates evaluationcontents and the like of each evaluation item.

The information in “case of intersection” indicates an evaluationstandard 611 in a case where the vehicle is at an intersection. Theinformation in “case of one-way traffic” indicates an evaluationstandard 612 in a case of one-way traffic. The information in “normalcase” indicates an evaluation standard 613 in a normal case other thanthe case of intersection and the case of one-way traffic.

The evaluation items and the evaluation standards which are included inthe evaluation standard 610 illustrated in FIG. 6A are examples. Forexample, regarding the evaluation standards used for the evaluation ofthe driver's driving manner, some of the evaluation items (or evaluationstandards) may be different from those of the evaluation standard 610illustrated in FIG. 6A, as shown in an evaluation standard 620illustrated in FIG. 6B.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a driving mannerevaluation process according to the first embodiment. The process showsan example of the driving manner evaluation process executed in stepS408 of FIG. 4.

In step S501, the determination unit 309 determines whether or not thevehicle 10 has flickered a hazard lamp, and notifies the evaluation unit310 of determination results. For example, the determination unit 309determines whether or not the vehicle 10 has flickered a hazard lamp byusing traveling information acquired by the traveling informationacquisition unit 305 when the approach of the emergency vehicle has beendetected by the approach detection unit 304.

In step S502, the determination unit 309 determines whether or not thevehicle 10 has performed deceleration, and notifies the evaluation unit310 of determination results. For example, the determination unit 309determines whether or not the vehicle 10 has performed deceleration byusing the traveling information (for example, speed information,acceleration information, and the like on the vehicle 10) which isacquired by the traveling information acquisition unit 305 when theapproach of the emergency vehicle has been detected by the approachdetection unit 304.

In step S503, the determination unit 309 determines whether or not thevehicle 10 has performed avoidance and determines contents of theexecution of the avoidance, and notifies the evaluation unit 310 ofdetermination results. For example, the determination unit 309determines whether or not the vehicle 10 has performed avoidance byavoidance determination processing to be described later. In a casewhere avoidance has been performed, the determination unit 309determines whether or not avoidance has been performed within anintersection and whether left-justified avoidance has been performed atthe front of the intersection, as the contents of the execution of theavoidance.

In step S504, the determination unit determines whether or not thevehicle 10 has stopped, and notifies the evaluation unit 310 ofdetermination results. For example, the determination unit 309determines whether or not the vehicle 10 has stopped by using thetraveling information (for example, speed information on the vehicle 10)which is acquired by the traveling information acquisition unit 305 whenthe approach of the emergency vehicle has been detected by the approachdetection unit 304.

In step S505, the evaluation unit 310 performs the overall determination(evaluation) of the driver's driving manner by using the determinationresults notified from the determination unit 309 and the evaluationstandards set in steps S404, S406, and S407 of FIG. 4. For example, instep S404 of FIG. 4, it is assumed that the evaluation standard 611 inthe case of intersection as illustrated in FIG. 6A is set.

In this case, the evaluation unit 310 adds “1” to an evaluation score ina case where deceleration has been executed and does not perform theaddition of an evaluation score in a case where deceleration has notbeen executed, in accordance with whether or not deceleration has beenperformed. The evaluation unit 310 adds “1” to an evaluation score in acase where avoidance has been executed and subtracts “1” from theevaluation score in a case where avoidance has not been executed, inaccordance with whether or not avoidance has been performed. Theevaluation unit 310 subtracts “2” from the evaluation score in a casewhere avoidance has been performed within an intersection and adds “1”to the evaluation score in a case where left-justified avoidance hasbeen performed at the front of the intersection, in accordance withcontents of the execution of the avoidance. The evaluation unit 310 adds“1” to the evaluation score in a case where stop has been performed anddoes not addition to the evaluation score in a case where stop has notbeen performed, in accordance with whether or not stop has beenperformed.

The evaluation unit 310 can set the evaluation score having beensubjected to addition or subtraction, for example, by theabove-described processing, as evaluation results on the driver'sdriving manner.

Referring back to FIG. 4, the description of the flowchart illustratingan example of the processing of the on-vehicle device will be continued.

In step S409, the transmission unit 311 transmits evaluation informationincluding the identification information on the driver identified instep S401 and the evaluation results of the evaluation performed in stepS408 by the evaluation unit 310 to the server device 100 through thecommunication controller 301.

Desirably, the on-vehicle device 110 executes the process of step S409and then repeatedly executes the process of step S402 and the subsequentprocesses.

By the above-described processing, the on-vehicle device 110 evaluatesthe driver's driving manner when an emergency vehicle approaches thevehicle 10, and can notify the server device 100 of evaluation results.

Avoidance Determination Process 1

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of avoidance determinationprocessing according to the first embodiment. The processing is anexample of determination process in which the determination unit 309determines whether or not the vehicle 10 has performed avoidance in stepS503 of FIG. 5.

In step S701, the determination unit 309 acquires information on asteering angle from the traveling information on the vehicle 10 which isacquired by the traveling information acquisition unit 305.

In step S702, the determination unit 309 decides whether or not the sizeof the steering angle is equal to or greater than a threshold value.Here, regarding the threshold value, it is assumed that a value fordeciding that the vehicle 10 has performed avoidance is set in advance.

In a case where the size of the steering angle is equal to or greaterthan the threshold value, the determination unit 309 determines thatavoidance has been performed (execution of avoidance) in step S703. Onthe other hand, in a case where the size of the steering angle is notequal to or greater than the threshold value, the determination unit 309determines that avoidance has not been performed (non-execution ofavoidance) in step S704.

Although the above-described process is an example of the avoidancedetermination processing, the determination unit 309 similarlydetermines whether or not the flickering of the hazard lamp,deceleration, stop, or the like has been performed, by using thetraveling information acquired by the traveling information acquisitionunit 305.

The determination unit 309 may determine the flickering of the hazardlamp, deceleration, avoidance, stop, or the like by using image dataacquired by imaging the vicinity of the vehicle 10 by the imageacquisition unit 302.

Avoidance Determination Process 2

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the avoidancedetermination processing according to the first embodiment. Theprocessing is another example of determination processing in which thedetermination unit 309 determines whether or not the vehicle 10 hasperformed avoidance in step S503 of FIG. 5.

In step S801, the determination unit 309 acquires information on asteering angle from the traveling information on the vehicle 10 which isacquired by the traveling information acquisition unit 305.

In step S802, the determination unit 309 detects, for example, a whiteline on the left side of a road by using the image data acquired byimaging the vicinity of the vehicle 10 by the image acquisition unit302.

In step S803, the determination unit 309 decides whether or not the sizeof the steering angle is equal to or greater than a threshold value. Ina case where the size of the steering angle is not equal to or greaterthan the threshold value, the determination unit 309 determines thatavoidance has not been performed in step S804. On the other hand, in acase where the size of the steering angle is equal to or greater thanthe threshold value, the determination unit 309 makes the processingproceed to step S805.

When the processing proceeds to step S805, the determination unit 309decides whether or not the vehicle 10 has extended over the white linedetected in step S802. In a case where the vehicle 10 has not extendedover the white line, the determination unit 309 determines thatavoidance (small) has been performed in step S806. On the other hand, ina case where the vehicle 10 has extended over the white line, thedetermination unit 309 determines that avoidance (large) has beenperformed in step S807.

As described above, the determination unit 309 may perform determinationprocessing by using image data to be acquired by the image acquisitionunit 302. The determination unit 309 may perform determination regardingavoidance by performing level classification into a plurality of levelsin accordance with, for example, the magnitude of deceleration, themagnitude of avoidance, or the like.

Real-Time Processing of Server Device

FIG. 9A is a flowchart illustrating an example of real-time processingof the server device 100. The processing is an example of real-timeprocessing executed when the server device 100 receives evaluationinformation from the on-vehicle device 110.

In step S911, the information management unit 322 of the server device100 executes the process of step S912 and the subsequent processes whenreceiving the evaluation information from the on-vehicle device 110through the communication controller 321.

In step S912, the information management unit 322 acquiresidentification information on the driver which is included in theevaluation information, and refers to evaluation results correspondingto the identification information on the driver which is stored in thedriving manner DB 324, that is, evaluation results on the driver'sdriving manner.

In step S913, the information management unit 322 decides whether or notthe number of evaluation results on the driver's driving manner whichare stored in the driving manner DB 324 is equal to or greater than apredetermined number. Here, regarding the predetermined number, it isassumed that a sufficient number is determined in advance in order todecide the driver's driving manner, for example, in a case where anaverage value of the evaluation results on the driver's driving manneris calculated.

In a case where the number of evaluation results is equal to or greaterthan the predetermined number, the information management unit 322overwrites the evaluation results included in the evaluation informationreceived in step S911 to the oldest evaluation results, among theevaluation results on the driver which are stored in the driving mannerDB 324, in step S914.

In a case where the number of evaluation results is not equal to orgreater than the predetermined number, the information management unit322 adds the evaluation results included in the evaluation informationreceived in step S911 to the evaluation results on the driver which arestored in the driving manner DB 324, in step S915.

By the above-described processing, when the information management unit322 receives the evaluation information from the on-vehicle device 110,the information management unit stores the latest data within thepredetermined number, among the evaluation results on the driver, in thedriving manner DB 324 to manage the data, based on the identificationinformation on the driver which is included in the evaluationinformation.

Batch Processing of Server Device

FIG. 9B is a flowchart illustrating an example of batch processing ofthe server device 100. The processing is an example of batch processingexecuted by the server device 100, for example, for each predeterminedperiod.

In step S921, the information management unit 322 of the server device100 starts to execute the process of step S922 and the subsequentprocess in a case where a predetermined period elapses from the previousprocess.

In step S922, the information management unit 322 refers to (acquires)evaluation results (first evaluation results) on the driver in apredetermined period (first predetermined period) which are stored inthe driving manner DB 324.

In step S923, the information management unit 322 calculates an averagevalue of the evaluation results on the driver in the predeterminedperiod which are referred to in step S922.

In step S924, the information management unit 322 decides whether or notthere is a difference between the average value of the evaluationresults on the driver in the predetermined period which are calculatedin step S923 and an average value of the evaluation results (secondevaluation results) on the driver before the predetermined period(second predetermined period). It is assumed that the informationmanagement unit 322 stores the average value of the evaluation resultson the driver which is calculated in the past process in a storage unitsuch as the driving manner DB 324 to manage the stored average value.

In a case where there is no difference between the average value of theevaluation results in the predetermined period and an average value ofthe past evaluation results, the information management unit 322terminates the batch processing. On the other hand, in a case wherethere is a difference between the average value of the evaluationresults in the predetermined period and the average value of the pastevaluation results, the information management unit 322 makes theprocessing proceed to step S925.

When the processing proceeds to step S925, the information managementunit 322 stores the average value of the evaluation results which iscalculated in step S923 in a storage unit, such as the driving manner DB324, as evaluation results on the driver, instead of the average valueof the past evaluation results which are stored in the storage unit andmanaged.

As described above, the information management unit 322 can maintainevaluation results on the safety related to the driver's driving in thelatest state. In a case where there is no difference between the averagevalue of the evaluation results in the predetermined period and theaverage value of the past evaluation results, the information managementunit 322 can further reduce a load of updating processing of theinformation management unit 322.

In step S926, the information association unit 323 transmits theevaluation results on the driver which are stored in the storage unit bythe information management unit 322 and identification information foridentifying the driver to an insurance company (for example, the serviceproviding system 330 or the like which is used by the insurance company)which provides an insurance service to the driver.

As described above, the insurance company providing an insurance serviceto the driver can give an incentive, such as a discount of a fee of theinsurance service provided to the driver, to the driver in accordancewith, for example, evaluation results on the driver's driving manner.

Second Embodiment

In the first embodiment, the on-vehicle device 110 performed theevaluation of the driver's driving manner by using, for example, theevaluation standard 611 in a case of intersection, the evaluationstandard 612 in a case of one-way traffic, and the evaluation standard613 in a normal case as illustrated in FIG. 6A, in accordance with apoint where the vehicle 10 was traveling.

For example, when the vehicle 10 is waiting for the light to change atan intersection, the flickering of the hazard lamp may not be neededdepending on a lane on which an emergency vehicle is traveling, such asa case where the emergency vehicle is passing through another lanedifferent from the driver's own lane.

In a second embodiment, the on-vehicle device 110 decides whether or notthe emergency vehicle is traveling on the driver's own lane or istraveling on another lane different from the driver's own lane, andperforms the evaluation of safety related to the driver's driving byusing evaluation standards varying depending on decision results.

Flow of Processing

Processing of On-Vehicle Device

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing of anon-vehicle device according to the second embodiment. Processes shown insteps S401, S402, and S409 among processes shown in FIG. 10 are the sameas the processes according to the first embodiment illustrated in FIG.4, and thus differences from the first embodiment will be mainlydescribed.

When the processing proceeds from step S402 to step S1001, the seconddecision unit 312 decides whether the position of an emergency vehiclecan be specified or is unclear, for example, by using image dataacquired by imaging the vicinity of the vehicle 10 by the imageacquisition unit 302. For example, the second decision unit 312 analyzesthe image data obtained by imaging the vicinity of the vehicle 10, anddecides that the position of the emergency vehicle is unclear in a casewhere the emergency vehicle, a rotary lamp of the emergency vehicle, orthe like is not detected.

In a case where the position of the emergency vehicle is unclear, theon-vehicle device 110 makes the processing proceed to step S1002. On theother hand, in a case where the position of the emergency vehicle is notunclear, the on-vehicle device 110 makes the processing proceed to stepS1003.

When the processing proceeds from step S1001 to step S1002, theevaluation unit 310 sets an evaluation standard in a case of unclearnesswhich is an evaluation standard in a case where the position of theemergency vehicle is unclear, as an evaluation standard used for theevaluation of the driver's driving manner. For example, the evaluationunit 310 can apply the evaluation standard 610 as illustrated in FIG.6A, as the evaluation standard in a case of unclearness.

When the processing proceeds from step S1001 to step S1003, the seconddecision unit 312 decides whether or not the position of the emergencyvehicle is on the driver's own lane (whether or not the emergencyvehicle is traveling on the same lane as that of the vehicle 10 or istraveling on a lane different from that of the vehicle 10). For example,the second decision unit 312 analyzes the image data obtained by imagingthe vicinity of the vehicle 10 to detect an emergency vehicle, a rotarylamp of the emergency vehicle, and the like, and decides whether or notthe emergency vehicle is traveling on the same lane as that of thevehicle 10 from a white line of a road, a traveling direction of theemergency vehicle, and the like.

In a case where the position of the emergency vehicle is on the driver'sown lane, the on-vehicle device 110 makes the processing proceed to stepS1004. On the other hand, in a case where the position of the emergencyvehicle is not on the driver's own lane, the on-vehicle device 110 makesthe processing proceed to step S1005.

When the processing proceeds from step S1003 to step S1004, theevaluation unit 310 sets an evaluation standard 1110 in a case of thedriver's own lane as illustrated in, for example, FIG. 11A, as anevaluation standard used for the evaluation of the driver's drivingmanner.

In the example of FIG. 11A, the evaluation standard 1110 in a case ofthe driver's own lane includes information such as “large item”, “smallitem”, “case of intersection”, and “normal case”, similar to theevaluation standard 610 illustrated in FIG. 6A. In FIG. 11A, theinformation of “case of intersection” indicates an evaluation standard1111 in a case of intersection in a case where the emergency vehicle istraveling on the same lane as that of the vehicle 10. The information of“case of one-way traffic” indicates an evaluation standard 1112 in acase of one-way traffic in a case where the emergency vehicle istraveling on the same lane as that of the vehicle 10. The information of“normal case” indicates an evaluation standard 1113 in a normal case ina case where the emergency vehicle is traveling on the same lane as thatof the vehicle 10.

In the example of FIG. 11A, a marking standard different from theevaluation standard 610 illustrated in FIG. 6A is set in the evaluationstandard 1110 in a case of the driver's own lane. For example, “timing”which is a small item is added to “deceleration” which is a large itemof the evaluation standard 1110 in a case of the driver's own lane.

When the processing proceeds from step S1003 to step S1005, theevaluation unit 310 sets an evaluation standard 1120 in a case ofanother lane as illustrated in, for example, FIG. 11B, as an evaluationstandard used for the evaluation of the driver's driving manner.

In the example of FIG. 11B, the evaluation standard 1120 in a case ofanother lane includes information such as “large item”, “small item”,“case of intersection”, and “other than case of intersection”. In FIG.11B, the information of “case of intersection” indicates an evaluationstandard 1121 in a case of intersection in a case where the emergencyvehicle is traveling on a lane different from that of the vehicle 10. InFIG. 11B, the information of “other than case of intersection” indicatesan evaluation standard 1122 in a case other than a case of intersectionin a case where the emergency vehicle is traveling on a lane differentfrom that of the vehicle 10.

As described above, in the embodiments, it is possible to decide whetherthe position of the emergency vehicle is on the driver's own lane or onanother lane or is unclear by the second decision unit 312, and theon-vehicle device 110 can set an evaluation standard varying dependingon decision results of the second decision unit 312.

In step S1006, the evaluation unit 310 performs the evaluation of thedriver's driving manner in accordance with the evaluation standards setin steps S1002, S1004, and S1005. For example, in a case where theevaluation standard in a case of the driver's own lane is set in stepS1004, the evaluation unit 310 performs the evaluation of the driver'sdriving manner by using the evaluation standard 1110 in a case of thedriver's own lane as illustrated in FIG. 11A.

For example, the evaluation standard 1110 in a case of the driver's ownlane illustrated in FIG. 11A includes the evaluation standard 1111 in acase of intersection, the evaluation standard 1112 in a case of one-waytraffic, and the evaluation standard 1113 in a normal case. In thiscase, the evaluation unit 310 executes, for example, the processes shownin steps S403 to S407 of FIG. 4, and performs the evaluation of thedriver's manner in accordance with the set evaluation standards.

In this case, the evaluation unit 310 can perform the evaluation of thedriver's manner by using different evaluation standards in accordancewith the decision result of the second decision unit and the decisionresults of the first decision unit.

APPLICATION EXAMPLE

Although the embodiments have been described above, the disclosure isnot limited to the above-described embodiments, and variousmodifications and changes can be made without departing from the scopeof the disclosure.

For example, the functional configuration of the information processingsystem 1 illustrated in FIG. 3 is an example, and the informationprocessing system 1 may have various functional configurations. Forexample, as illustrated in FIG. 12, the information management unit 322,the driving manner DB 324, and the like included in the server device100 of FIG. 3 may be included in the on-vehicle device 110. In thiscase, the on-vehicle device 110 includes the information associationunit 323 instead of the transmission unit 311 included in the on-vehicledevice 110 illustrated in FIG. 3. As described above, the informationprocessing system 1 can transmit evaluation results on safety related tothe driving of the driver of the vehicle 10 to a service providingsystem even in a case where the server device 100 is not provided.

Similarly, at least some of the functional configurations included inthe on-vehicle device 110 illustrated in FIG. 3 may be included in theserver device 100.

The on-vehicle device 110 may include the individual identification unit303 in a case where a driver driving the vehicle 10 is determined inadvance, a case where a contract target for an insurance serviceprovided by the service providing system 330 is based on units ofvehicles rather than being based on units of drivers, and the like. Inthis case, the transmission unit 311 of the on-vehicle device 110 maytransmit evaluation information including identification information onthe driver which is stored in advance, identification information on thevehicle 10, and the like to the server device 100, together with theevaluation results of the evaluation unit 310.

What is claimed is:
 1. An information processing device comprising a controller configured to: determine one or more driving operations of a driver driving a first vehicle by using traveling information acquired when a second vehicle approaches the first vehicle; perform evaluation of safety related to the driver's driving by using determination results obtained by the controller; compare first evaluation results of the controller obtained during a first predetermined period with second evaluation results of the controller obtained during a second predetermined period before the first predetermined period; update the second evaluation results based on comparison results; identify the driver; and transmit the updated second evaluation results and information for identifying the driver to a service providing system that provides a predetermined service to the driver.
 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, the controller is further configured to: acquire the traveling information indicating traveling conditions of the first vehicle traveling on a road; and acquire the first evaluation results obtained during the first predetermined period to compare the first evaluation results with the second evaluation results obtained during the second predetermined period before the first predetermined period.
 3. The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein a value calculated from the first evaluation results is an average value of the first evaluation results.
 4. The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein the second vehicle includes an emergency vehicle.
 5. The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein: the traveling information includes information on the first vehicle according to the driver's driving operation, or image data obtained by imaging a vicinity of the first vehicle; the one or more driving operations include flickering of a hazard lamp, deceleration, avoidance, or stop of the first vehicle; and the controller further configured to perform evaluation of safety related to the driver's driving in accordance with whether the driver executes the one or more driving operations, when the second vehicle approaches the first vehicle.
 6. The information processing device according to claim 2, the controller is further configured to: acquire positional information indicating a position of the first vehicle; decide whether or not a point where the first vehicle is traveling is in a vicinity of an intersection and whether the point is on a one-way road, by using the positional information of the first vehicle and map information of the road; and perform evaluation of safety related to the driver's driving by using evaluation standards varying depending on decision results decided by the controller.
 7. The information processing device according to claim 2, the controller is further configured to: decide whether the second vehicle is traveling in the same lane as that of the first vehicle or is traveling on a lane different from that of the first vehicle by using image data obtained by imaging a vicinity of the first vehicle; and perform evaluation of safety related to the driver's driving by using evaluation standards varying depending on decision results decided by the controller.
 8. The information processing device according to claim 2, further comprising: an on-vehicle device mounted on the first vehicle; and the on-vehicle device includes the controller and the controller is further configured to transmit evaluation information including evaluation results and information for identifying the driver.
 9. The information processing device according to claim 2, the controller is further configured to add a score in accordance with predetermined evaluation standards in accordance with at least one of (i) whether or not the driver of the vehicle causes a hazard lamp to flicker, (ii) whether or not the vehicle decelerates, (iii) whether or not avoidance is appropriate, and (iv) whether or not the vehicle stops, to calculate evaluation on safety related to the driver's driving as an evaluation score.
 10. An information processing method comprising: by a computer, determining one or more driving operations of a driver driving a first vehicle by using traveling information acquired when a second vehicle approaches the first vehicle; performing evaluation of safety related to the driver's driving by using determination results obtained in the determining step above; comparing first evaluation results obtained during a first predetermined period with second evaluation results obtained during a second predetermined period before the first predetermined period; updating the second evaluation results based on comparison results; identifying the driver; and transmitting the updated second evaluation results and information for identifying the driver to a service providing system that provides a predetermined service to the driver.
 11. The information processing method according to claim 10, further comprising: by the computer, acquiring the traveling information indicating traveling conditions of the first vehicle traveling on a road; and acquiring the first evaluation results obtained during the first predetermined period to compare the first evaluation results with the second evaluation results obtained during the second predetermined period before the first predetermined period.
 12. The information processing method according to claim 11, wherein a value calculated from the first evaluation results is an average value of the first evaluation results.
 13. The information processing method according to claim 11, further comprising, by the computer, adding a score in accordance with predetermined evaluation standards in accordance with at least one of (i) whether or not the driver of the vehicle causes a hazard lamp to flicker, (ii) whether or not the vehicle decelerates, (iii) whether or not avoidance is appropriate, and (iv) whether or not the vehicle stops, to calculate evaluation on safety related to the driver's driving as an evaluation score.
 14. The information processing method according to claim 11, wherein the second vehicle includes an emergency vehicle.
 15. The information processing method according to claim 11, wherein the traveling information includes information on the first vehicle according to the driver's driving operation, or image data obtained by imaging a vicinity of the first vehicle, the one or more driving operations include flickering of a hazard lamp, deceleration, avoidance, or stop of the first vehicle, and the method further comprising, by the computer, performing evaluation of safety related to the driver's driving in accordance with whether the driver executes the one or more driving operations, when the second vehicle approaches the first vehicle.
 16. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a program, the program causing the computer to: determine one or more driving operations of a driver driving a first vehicle by using traveling information acquired when a second vehicle approaches the first vehicle; perform evaluation of safety related to the driver's driving by using determination results obtained in the determining step above; compare first evaluation results obtained during a first predetermined period with second evaluation results obtained during a second predetermined period before the first predetermined period; update the second evaluation results based on comparison results; identify the driver; and transmit the updated second evaluation results and information for identifying the driver to a service providing system that provides a predetermined service to the driver.
 17. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium according to claim 16, the program further causing the computer to: acquire the traveling information indicating traveling conditions of the first vehicle traveling on a road; and acquire the first evaluation results obtained during the first predetermined period to compare the first evaluation results with the second evaluation results obtained the during the second predetermined period before the first predetermined period.
 18. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium according to claim 17, wherein a value calculated from the first evaluation results is an average value of the first evaluation results.
 19. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium according to claim 17, wherein the traveling information includes information on the first vehicle according to the driver's driving operation, or image data obtained by imaging a vicinity of the first vehicle, and the one or more driving operations include flickering of a hazard lamp, deceleration, avoidance, or stop of the first vehicle, and the program further causing the computer to perform evaluation of safety related to the driver's driving in accordance with whether the driver executes the one or more driving operations, when the second vehicle approaches the first vehicle.
 20. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium according to claim 17, the program further causing the computer to add a score in accordance with predetermined evaluation standards in accordance with at least one of (i) whether or not the driver of the vehicle causes a hazard lamp to flicker, (ii) whether or not the vehicle decelerates, (iii) whether or not avoidance is appropriate, and (iv) whether or not the vehicle stops, to calculate evaluation on safety related to the driver's driving as an evaluation score. 